NEW ANGLO-FRENCH OFFENSIVE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10118, 27 October 1917, Page 5

NEW ANGLO-FRENCH OFFENSIVE.

GENERAL HAIG REPORTS SATISFACTORY PROGRESS, Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Keuter’s Telegram. > Received October 27, 8.45 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 26. General Sir Douglas Haig reports that the Anglo-French launched an attack at 5.45 this morning, eastward, north-westward, and northward of Ypres, making _ satisfactory progress. It rained heavily m the latter part of the night. The rain still continues.

GOOD WORK BY AIR SQUADRON. Austx&lJ&n-New Zealand Cable Association, LONDON, Oct, 26. General llaig reports that the enemy attempted a raid last night eastward of Loos and was met with rifle and machine gun lire. He failed to reach our wire Two raiding parlies attacked our line northward of Labasse Canal. One was repulsed before reaching our trenches; the other entered our trenches but was driven out. We took a few prisoners During the night there were patrol encounters eastward of Poelcapclle. Our artillery is active. The voather on the British front from Wednesday had slightly improved. Our aeroplanes bombed an 'aerodrome at Cburtrai. Eight enemy machines were brought down. Six of ours are missing. Our aeroplane squadron last night attacked factories and railway communications in the vicinity of Saarbrucken with excellent results. Naval machine guns dropped over three and a hall tons of explosives on the Burbaek works, westward of Saarbrueken. causing considerable damage and many direct fires. Another squadron bombed railway stations, junctions and goods sicli„ K3 round about Saarbrucken. securing many direct hits. There were numerous explosions. A big bomb destroyed a tram proceeding to Saarbrucken. A total of live tons of explosives wore dropped.

FRENCH CONTINUE TO ADVANCE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Oct. 25. French headquarters state that following on Tuesday's victory our troops continued lo advance towards the Oisc-Aisne (ana from the west and south. We now hold a.ll the heights on the south bank ot tie cana l, "Above the eastern end of <>'<' Ailette Vallev we are firmly established oil the receding' slopes from Vaux AiUon to Chavignoii. ALL FIRST OBJECTIVES TAKEN. TWO DISTINCT BATTLES. Received October 27. 11.30 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 26. The United Press states that the Allies had taken practically all their first objectives by noon. They are still advancing along the Passciienda'clo spurs around Gheluvelt. and have penetrated deeper into Houlthulst Wood. The fighting resolved itself into two distinct battles, the first on the AngloFrench front from Daaibank to below the Ypres-Roulers railway, and the second along the, short front centring on Gheluvelt. 'I he correspondent emphasises the fact that there was no attack between the two battles, because, in ;i lively fight in which the enemy suffered serious looses, they only gained a footing in one of our advanced elements. SUCCESS OF FRENCH OPERATIONS. Australian-New Zealand Cable AsTOci'dion. (Router's Telegram.) Received October 27, 12.35 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 26. A French communique states: Wo attacked at six in the morning, between Diegrach and Draslbank in Belgium; crossed Saint - wansbeck and Vocewbeck shoulder-deep m water, and made important progress, despite the difficulties of the country traversed We captured the village of Dradrank and the Porgocd woods, and many farms organised as points d'appui. Received October 27. 11.30 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 26. The night was calm along the, entire front. , , North of the Aisno tho enemy only replied feebly with artillery. We are organising the captured positions on the south bank of the Oise and the Aisne, tho canal bridges, of which the retreating enemy blew up. The Germans re-attacked north ot Chaume Wood, to the right, of the Meuse. In view of their recent lies, the Germans are almost certain to claim they checked the advance there, although there was none attempted. The German artillery replied only moderately, the British concentration of shell lire at night time, obviously having had its effect. Prisoners are coming jo m dribbles.

THE AISNE VICTORY. (Router's Telegram.) LONDON, Oct. 26. Our correspondent at French headquarters, writing on the afternoon of the 25th .says: On the right our victory was completed by the capture of the villages of Pargny and Filain. Thereabouts and in the forest of Pinon the enemy was forced to abandon a largo number of guns. We made progress on the left beyond the limits assigned for the 23rd October. Our patrols were in touch with tho enemy .along the Oisne'sAkno Canal all night, and this morning the tanks are cooperating. HUGE GERMAN GUNS. CAPTURED~~BY FRENCH. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Received October 27, 11.30 a.m. PARIS, Oct. 26. The French at Gobineaux captured two enormous guns, each served by forty men. They fire a torpedo carrying 2001bs ot explosives, which the Germans intended to use against Chcmin des Dames. Each gun had a, supply of 100 torpedoes.

GERMANS ADMIT WITHDRAWAL. LONDON, Oct. 25. A wireless Gorman official message says: Our advanced troops in tin.' Pinon, Chavignoil and Ailetto region have boon withdrawn behind the Oise-Asine Canal, owing to the French pressure. GERMAN COMMANDS DISORGANISED, Australian-New Zealand Cabin Association. LONDON, Oct. 26. The Dailv Chronicle's correspondent at French headquarters says: After the terrible blows of Tuesday, the minor German commands seem to be in disorder. Papers taken reveal that one battalion, whereof 600 were captured at Pinon, received contradictory orders to retire and to hold Pinon at any cost. For some days the French aviators have been reporting that the Germans are cutting down fruit trees and demolishing farms in the Ailetto Valley, recalling the Sommo retreat. It seems the Boche has "got tho wind up him" very badly m this region. The French are making steady and unrelenting progress. The canal is not an obstacle, but there is a good deal of marshy ground in the Ailotte Valley. The question also arises whether the enemy will attempt to hold the remainder of tho Chemin des Dames. After two days' _ triumphs, our U00 U3 art* in splendid spirits,